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Show 150 NATIONAL WAGON ROAD GUIDE. all, and yet a wide margin for ~ore. If your neighbor happens to prosper for a day a little better than yourself, it does not lessen your chances, for the very next day you may far outstrip him. The miner has nothing to fear as has the trader, of a decline in the price of the commodity in which he deals. I-Iis income depends in a great measure upon his health, and hi.s industry ; and his prosperity, upon his prudence and frugality. And though there are many, ·very many, who have been in the country the longest, who are now worth the least, we believe not one in the whole number can be pointed out, as having given his whole time and attention to mining; and then saying as every prudent man should, his whole earnings, beyond a full enjoyment of all the necessaries of life, and a reasonable indulgence in the luxuries. In answer then, to the question, " What shall I do ?" we ans,ver, that if without capital and willing to labor, go to mining and stick to it; and after you have worked at it a year, and made a thousand dollars, or only eight or six hundred, stick to mining; and after two years are gone, and you begin to feel as thoughyou could make money more easily by using your money, than by mining, then is your very time to stick to it ; or else start immediately for home, and bring back with you the girl that has cost you so much thouvht two or 0 ' three ambrotJIIf'e miniatures, and perhaps as many of your best gold specimens. ' • APPENDIX. 151 WHERE SHALL I G 0 ? Many~ a stranger immigrant asks this question, on arrivi~ g in California. Some, it is true, know wh,ere to go, having friends located here and there residents of the State; but of the masses who come for the purpose of digging for gold, a majority of them know not where to go. They want to go to the mines, and this is about all they know of California, or of mining. Our gold fields are so vast in extent, from south to north, the entire length of the State, eYen jnto Oregon ; and with a width of from fifty to one hundred and fifty J miles, it is no wonder that a stranger should not know where to go. , But there are facts and considerations that should have their infi"Qence flnd proper weight with you, in determining where you will go. Among these, are, a generally admitted opinion as to the richness of the diggings; whether the locality is easy of access; its proximity to one or more points of trade, at which provisions, implements, and lumber can be ob- . tained ; and lastly, though not the least in importance, is the certainty of an adequate supply of water for gold washing ; for without this, the mere richness of the digdings would avail but little. Men should not expect to make at this late day, sudden fortunes at mining ; better be satisfied with two or three dollars a day, until you become · me little acquainted with the hazards, vexations, the bad and good luck of mining. |